RUSH OF PATIENTS & REFERRALS AT STNM HOSPITAL AS LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS EASE
PANKAJ DHUNGEL
GANGTOK: The multi-speciality STNM hospital at Sochaygang, Gangtok witnessed almost double the usual patients on Monday as lockdown restrictions were eased in certain activities. Patients from other districts referred for specialised treatment were among those who visited the STNM hospital.
Majority of the cases were obstetrics related.
Speaking to SIKKIM EXPRESS, STNM hospital medical superintendent Dr. Passang Bhutia shared that the hospital had anticipated the crowding as and when the lockdown restrictions would be relaxed.
“The precedence to the same was laid last week, when there was a partial relaxation on the lockdown with the expiry of the first phase of 21-day lockdown. We had anticipated rush of patients when more relaxations would be given. Majority of the cases were with regards to obstetrics coming from across the State. STNM hospital catered to new born delivery procedures over the lockdown as we had catered almost 150 Caesarean cases, all of which were a success,” said Dr. Bhutia.
Over the lockdown since March 25, the hospital had kept ‘cold cases’ needing surgery and operational procedures at bay with the intent of avoiding crowding and divided attention in the midst of Covid-19 scare. “The one recognizable case that we catered during the lockdown was the BSNL official who had been attacked by a bear. But apart from it, cold cases were not being treated during the lockdown and we anticipate such cases to come up in the days to come,” said the STNM hospital medical superintendent.
Similar concerns had come to STNM hospital with regards to kidney patients and their regular dialysis services during the lockdown period.
“We have 10 machines for dialysis but with one being devoted for HIV positive and Hepatitis patients, only nine were functioning. If taken with 2 shifts in a day, only 18 people could be catered on any day”, stated Dr. Bhutia.
Central Referral Hospital (CRH), Manipal here at Tadong also recorded a rush of patients since last week and witnessed an increase in number of patients with lockdown restrictions eased.
“Be it the lockdown or not, CRH has always been crowded. It did not affect us much as we have been receiving patients regularly, even during the lockdown. OPDs were all open and we were catering to whatever was part of essential services. Non-essential cases were kept at bay such as gastritis or minor cough which didn’t need an OPD attention or need for visit to hospital. Dialysis services were all carried out along with few surgeries and trauma care”, stated an official from the hospital.
CM PRESENTS FINANCIAL INCENTIVE TO MEDIA, APPRECIATES THEIR CONTRIBUTION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19
GANGTOK (IPR): Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) today presented financial incentive to journalists based in Sikkim, in recognition of their noteworthy service in this difficult time. The cheque was presented to Press Club of Sikkim (PCS) president Joseph Lepcha in presence of IPR secretary Ms. Namrata Thapa and members of PCS.
The financial incentive is being provided to journalists from print (both daily and weekly publications), electronic and social/digital media working on the forefront during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister extended his gratitude to the members of the media for their valuable contribution in ensuring timely dissemination of news and information to the general public on Covid-19. He said that the financial incentive is a small gesture from the government to express thankfulness towards the media who have been risking their lives in the process of news gathering and dissemination. He said that media persons working on the field as well as those on the desk are warriors who are continuously rendering their valuable service to society even in these challenging circumstances.
The Chief Minister further said that the government will continue to provide necessary support and encouragement to the media fraternity in the State.
The PCS president thanked the Chief Minister for the kind gesture. He also took the opportunity to congratulate the Chief Minister for the timely steps taken by the State government to keep the State free from Covid-19 thus far.
On the occasion, SIKKIM EXPRESS staff reporter Dichen Ongmu Bhutia made a personal contribution towards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for Covid-19. While presenting the contribution to the Chief Minister, she thanked and congratulated the State government for the timely response in keeping the State free from Covid-19.
The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to Dichen Ongmu for the special gesture.sikkimexpress/from,india
